Grilled Fontina And Caponata Panini Recipes

CAPONATA PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat a panini grill.
• Using a grapefruit spoon or fingers, scoop out a 1-inch wide trough along the cut sides of the baguettes. Place 2 half-slices of the provolone cheese on each bottom half of the baguettes. Spoon 1/3 cup of the caponata on top of the cheese. Place the top halves on the baguettes and grill the panini until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the celery and eggplant and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, raisins, and oregano to the pan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Season, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed.

PANINI WITH CARAMELIZED ONION, PEAR AND FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat a large grill pan or griddle over medium to medium high heat. Preheat a small skillet over medium to medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and butter to the small skillet. Add onion to the melted butter and oil. Saute the onion, stirring frequently, 10 to 12 minutes or until onions are caramel colored and soft. Build sandwiches: spread 1/4 of the onions on each of 4 slices of bread. Top onions with a thin layer of fontina and sprinkle with chopped sage. Add a thin layer of pears to each sandwich, then more fontina and the top slice of bread. Drizzle the sandwiches with extra-virgin olive oil. Place drizzled side down and arrange the sandwiches on hot grill or griddle. Drizzle opposite side of each sandwich with oil and weigh the sandwiches with foil wrapped bricks or with a heavy skillet, weighted with a sack of flour or canned goods. Press sandwiches 2 or 3 minutes on each side and serve immediately.

GRILLED FONTINA AND CAPONATA PANINI

Steps:

• Arrange 2 bread slices on work surface. Top each bread slice with 1/4 of cheese, 3 tablespoons caponata and half of tomato. Sprinkle each with half of rosemary, then salt and pepper. Top with remaining cheese and bread. Brush top and bottom bread slices with oil.
• Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches to skillet and grill until bread is golden brown and cheese melts, about 6 minutes per side.
• Transfer sandwiches to plates. Cut in half and serve hot.